Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,817, Thomas Drury, Mass. Privateer.

SERVICE
Mass. Privateer.
Drury, Thomas
NUMBER
S. 15817
CONTENTS
carded.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for recording service details.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for recording service details.

152400. Massachusetts
15268 Thomas Derry
Franklin in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Thatcher in the War line for 14 Mos Privateer
Mid
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass the rate of 44 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of June 1830 and June 8 Alfred Franklin County
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1830 $93.32 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sep " 23.33 $116.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H McBlain Clerk, Book 2, Vol. 2, Page 16.
Died January 15-1835
From A.B.
74 Franklin

17428 Thomas Drury Mass
14 months Private Adm'd
6466
E Wood CLK Court Franklin Co Mass

BRIEF in the case of  Thomas Drury  County of Franklin  in the State of  Massachusetts  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 72 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Recd. Enlisted In 1776 — 3 — private Gen. Capt Brood, Col Thatcher   — 1777 — 4 — Col Wench, Col Bullard   " 1778 — 1 — " Russell   " 1779-80 — 6 — " " West  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? at Bunker Hill, Bennington, Saratoga, Burgoyne's defeat — & several other places.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Middlesex Co., Mass  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached 
X  Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. [Signature] Examining Clerk.

Cont.
Thomas Drury
17428
Thomas Drury
On board the ship "St. Thomas" at the port of...

Declaration conti'd. from the printed sheet. about the first of August 1777 I enlisted into the Company of Capt. Winch of Farningham, 1st Bt. of Riphins, & 1st Bt. of State in the Regiment of Col. Badlam of Shurton, Lt. Col. Brown & Major Dyant. Adjutant Porter, for four months; joined the Company at Farningham, they all met there - then marched to Basing- ton, got there two days after the battle at that place, stayed there a day or two; then went through the woods, in which was one day left, to Mount Independence, Left of Lynden- rosa - stayed there a few days - then five hundred men were taken from the different companies, under Col. Brown, I was one of them; they went through the woods, then on one day left, to Mount Independence, Left of Lynden- rosa - our party took 520 men, & sent them back to Ben- nington. Half of our party of 500 went with them - the two hundred & fifty belonging to our detachment, remaining went to Diamond Island on Lake Champlain, in Gondolas, where we had a battle on the water; were defeated, & were obliged to take the woods again; & joined our army at Stillwater; then we had an engagement with Burgoyne across the day after, being six or eight days before his surrender. Immediately after this, I was taken sick & carried to the Hospital at Bennington, where I remained under the care of the surgeon thirty days or more, until about the first of December, when I returned home, having been out four months or more - I understood that our Regiment had been dispersed during this time.
At the time the British were in possession of Rhode Island, I believe in the year 1778, but I do not remember the year - the militia from all the surrounding country were called out to defend that country. I turned out from Farningham again, under Capt. Russell & Lieut. Cookridge, went to Providence & passed over the ferry to Rhode Island, at the time the British left it - On our return, we were called back again, expecting the British would return again; we remained a while longer, & then returned home, being out four weeks at this time.
In the spring of 1779, or 1780, I do not remember the year - but toward the close of the war, I enlisted, at Salem in the County of Essex, into the naval service, into a vessel called "Mark Penn", of 115 men, under command of Capt. West. It carried 170 men - I shepherded the hogs - We had a battle with the Lady Howe of 170 men - took her - but her men up upon our part on board - which her & I carried her into Belfast. We went afterwards to Gibraltar in Spain, where we re- cruited the agent of the Glorious Peninsular war supplies - we re- turned in the fall being out four months.
I was born at Farningham around March 28 1755, when my age is recorded as I believe; lived at said Farningham until (See over)

over forty years of age, when I moved to Hopkinton in the County of Middlesex - when I lived about ten years, thence to Grafton in the County of Worcester. When I resided between four & five years - then to Shutesbury in the County of Franklin. When I have since resided. I know of no person living who can testify further to my service above. I was regularly dismissed in all the above cases, but not in writing -
I further testify that, I believe Deborah Dugdale, who testifies in my behalf, & whose deposition is filed in the case, is mistaken in saying, that we left here about the first of September (or 1777) it must have been about the first of August of that year. because I well remember we arrived at Bennington two days after the battle, which happened on the sixteenth of August. & that we had of that battle on our way to the mountains. some time after we left here. living from our hundred & thirty to forty miles from that place -
(End of declaration)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
FRANKLIN COUNTY ss.
ON THIS fifteenth day of august A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Thomas Drury a resident of Shutesbury in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged sixty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That is to say;
About the first of December 1776 I enlisted, at Framingham, in the County of Middlesex in this Commonwealth, into a Company of Militia commanded by Capt Broad of Newton Lt. Miller of Holliston & Second Lieut Lipp of Newton, in the Regiment under the command of Col. Thatcher of Cambridge, Lt Col. How of Marlborough, & Major Bryant, for three months. The Company first mustered at said Framingham went to Providence - then to White Plains, so called, etc. remember own particular route; stayed there a day or two. then to Newburgh, & was in various places there; the weather was very cold & we suffered much. went to near Newburgh, where the British lay. that one of our men fired & killed a British officer. distinguished near Newburgh in March 1777 - there was a battle at Newburgh the day after we were defeated. we were prepared to stop & engage in it. The British came out of Newburgh town & we drove them back. I was out there about a week before I got home.
(See annexed list.)
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest E. Alvord Clerk
Thomas Drury
WE, Paul Macomber & Joshua Leonard
residing in said Shutesbury  Drury hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty seven years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Paul Macomber Joshua Leonard
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Paul Macomber who has signed the preceding certificate is a Justice of the Peace of said County of Franklin resident in said Shutesbury and that Joshua Leonard who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and they are both credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Attest E. Alvord Clerk
I, ELIJAH ALVORD, Clerk of the said Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Drury for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this fifteenth day of august - in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
E. Alvord Clerk.

January 16, 1931.
Lina M. Rice 28 Front Street c/o T. C. Page Florence, Massachusetts.
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section MMHF:ill our
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15817, that Thomas Drury was born March 25, 1755 in Framingham  Framingham Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said Farmington he enlisted December 1, 1776 and served three and one half months as a private in Captain Broad's Company, Colonel Thatcher's Massachusetts Regiment. He enlisted August 1, 1777, served as a private in Captain Joseph Winch's Company, Colonel Bullard's Massachusetts Regiment, was in the battle of Diamond Island under Colonel Brown and was in the second battle of Stillwater, length of service four months. He enlisted in 1778 and served four weeks in Captain Russell's Massachusetts Regiment.
In the spring of 1779, he entered on board the ship "Black Prince", Captain West, served six months and was in a battle with a British ship.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832, while a resident of Shutesbury, Franklin County, Massachusetts.
He died January 15, 1835.
There are no data on file as to his family.
The above noted is the only soldier named Thomas Drury found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.
Very truly yours,
E.W.MORGAN, Acting Commissioner.

P
15814
INVALID.
1924 - Nov. 4 - Hist. to F. M. Davis ms 15814
1931 - Jan. 16 - Hist. to Lina M. Rice - AL
File No. 15817
Thomas Denny
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 37
Index: - Vol. 1 , Page 102
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Thomas Druzy, Yma Nuer Depositum

I Jonathan Rice of Natick in the County of Middlesex testify and depose That I am acquainted with Thomas Drury of Shutesbury & that he was a native of Framing- ham in the County of Middlesex In the month of December 1776 said Drury & I both enlisted for three months in the service of the United States under Capt Wood of Natick, Col. Thatcher of Cambridge commanded the regiment - we both marched into the service, the battle at Trenton took place while we were on our march, We were absent from home on that expedition three months & a half and we were both reg- ularly discharged but had no written discharges.
Sometime during the revolution- ary war I remember he went in the spring of the year to fight the British on the water - he was gone till the fall of the same year - I do not know now in what vessel he went nor precisely how long he staid Jonathan Rice
Cannanecutt of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 10. 1832
Then the above named Jonathan Rice personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit before me Wm Brinkman Justice of Peace
I certify that the said Rice is personally known to me & that he is an credible witness Wm Brinkman Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss. I Elias Phinney Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Middlesex, do certify, that William Buckminster is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, and his name set to the within certif- icate is his own proper signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eleventh day of August A. 1832.
E. Phinney.

I Ephraim Bigelow of Holliston in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age depose and say that I am acquainted with Thomas Drury of Shutesbury in the County of Franklin who was a native of Aramingham in the County of Middlesex I was intimately acquainted with him in 1777 when he enlisted un- der Capt Joseph Winch of Aram- ingham in the expedition against Gen. Burgoyne - we both went on that expedition & we were both at the taking of Burgoyne on the 17 th of Oct. of that year - we were absent from home on that expedition for many weeks having started from home about the first of September - we were both discharged and authorized to leave the service & further deponent saith not
Ephraim Bigelow
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 10. 1832
Then the above named Ephraim Bigelow personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed before me
Wm Buckingham Just. of Peace
I certify that said Bigelow is known to me & that he is a credible witness
Wm Buckingham Just. of Peace

Wm Lloyd J. H. H. H. Affidavit
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex: ss. I Elias Phinney, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Middlesex, do certify that William Brickminster is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, and his name set to the within Certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eleventh day of August A. D. 1832.
E. Phinney.

Thomson Street Capt. H. H. H. H. Boston
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex: ss. I Elias Phinney clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Middlesex, do certify that William Brackinston is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, and his name set to the within Certificate is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this eleventh day of August A. 1832.
E. Phinney

I Uriah Thibe of Framingham in the County of Middlesex testify & depose that I am acquainted with Thomas Drury a native of Framingham, & now of Shutesbury He & I both enlisted in December 1778 about the first of said month in the service of the United States, we both enlisted for Three months, from the first part of December we were from home on the expedition in the Jerseys Three months and a half - we were both in Capt. Wood's company of Natick - Col. Thatcher of Cambridge was Col. of the Regiment - we were both discharged in March 1779 but we had no written discharges - and fur- ther the deponent saith not
Uriah Thibe
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex ss. August 10. 1832
Then the above named Uriah Thibe personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed W m Buckingham Just. of peace
I certify that I am personally acquainted with the abovenamed Uriah Thibe & that he is a cred- ible witness W m Buckingham Just. of peace

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Denny which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 2 Citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Serving 30 years
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

28 Front St - Florence
ROME CRAFT SHOP AND TEA ROOM 110 HIGH STREET FLORENCE, MASS.
Care of T.C. Page
Mr. Winfield Scott Commissioner U.S. Dept. of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: -
Will you please send me
the pension record of the two following men in the war One & only - of the Revolution Thomas Derry b. in Framingham June 15 1722 1722 d. in Gerry (Nanaganset No. 6) April 23 1791 one on April 29 1755 in Shrewsbury Mass to Huldah Taylor.
Also Moses Ball b. Brookfield July 28, 1791 son of Isaac & Rachel (How) Mass Ball died in Athol Mass Nov. 15 1820
Sincerely Lina M. Rice 28 Front St - Florence care of T.C. Page

1432 Meridian St N.W., Washington, D. C., Oct. 18, 1924.
Pension Office, Revolutionary War Records, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen: In re Thomas Drury - Revolutionary Soldier. referred
Attached hereto find war record of Thomas Drury's who served in the American Revolution from Massachusetts.
If a pension was ever granted a man of this name or to his descendants, it would be appreciated if you would so advise me so that I may confer with you as to obtaining such records as possible for family use, should this be my gr.gr.gr.gr. grandfather. I am endeavoring to prove membership for D.A.R., etc. purposes and to date have been unable to as- certain any other direct descendant of this man who happens to have surviving family records.
Thanking you for any favor extended, I am,
Sincerely,
F. M. Davison

mmh
November 4, 1924
F.M. Davison 1432 Meridian St., N. W. Washington, D. C.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15817 it appears that Thomas Drury was born March 25, 1755 in Framington , Framingham Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
While a resident of said Framington  Framingham he enlisted December 1, 1776 and served as a private three and one half months in Captain Broad's Company, Colonel Thatcher's Massachusetts Regiment.
He enlisted August 1, 1777, served as a private in Captain Joseph Winch's Company, Colonel Bullard's Massachusetts Regiment, was in the battle of Diamond Island under Colonel Brown and was in the second battle of Stillwater; served four months.
He enlisted in 1778 and served four weeks in Captain Russell's Massachusetts Regiment.
In the spring of 1779 he entered on board the

ship " Black Prince ", Captain West, served six months and was in a battle with a British ship.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 15, 1832 while a resident of Shutesbury, Franklin County, Massachusetts. He died January 15, 1835. (from a13)
There is no data on file as to his family.
The above noted is the only soldier named Thomas Drury found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Drury, William GRADE Private LINE Delaware
WARRANT NUMBER 10755 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED September 2, 1789 to - not shown -
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.